Asked by: Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat - Bath)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Mental health clinically-led review of standards, if he will introduce a new access standard that measures clinically meaningful contact for adults with eating disorders; and if he will publish data that provides transparency on waiting times from referral to the start of evidence-based treatment for adults with eating disorders.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
NHS England and NHS Improvement have consulted on the potential to introduce five new waiting time standards, as part of its clinically led review of National Health Service access standards. This includes a standard for adults presenting to community-based mental health services, including those with eating disorders, should start to receive help within four weeks from referral. This consultation closed on 1 September 2021 and NHS England and NHS Improvement expect to publish a response in due course. Data will be published on any new waiting time standards when fully implemented and embedded in services.
Sometimes it’s hard to talk about mental health, but it is so important that we do. Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation, so today take some time to check in with your friends and family and to share your experiences. #mentalhealth https://t.co/DwZZjtTRXr
Eating Disorders are the mental health disorders with the highest mortality rate. £11m has been allocated to improve eating disorder services, but only £1.1m has been spent on the frontline. Every penny that the Government makes available must reach the front line. https://t.co/QECzgItp2W